Meet Ann Bernath

TPJ: Hi Ann! Thank you for taking the time to share some of your indie author story with our readers. Let's start by talking about who you are and your background before publishing your books.

SECTION 1 — Author Information

TPJ: How would you describe yourself in a nutshell for readers who are just meeting you?

AB: I'm a Southern California native who was first inspired to write a book by the "The Patty Duke Show." I write genre fiction - westerns and sci-fi/fantasy in particular - and have a sequel to my fantasy novel in progress with more novels and stories on tap.

TPJ: Where can readers connect with you online?

AB:

At My Website -

readannbernath.com

SECTION 2 — Books & Writing Background

TPJ: Before you became an author, what was life like for you? Any experiences that shaped your storytelling?

AB: I've been writing since forever but before I got serious and started self-publishing, I was and continue to be (until my December 2025 retirement), a Jet Propulsion Laboratory employee working in IT, specifically information management which involved a lot of writing - just not fiction. After hours I wrote a lot of short stories always scratching that itch to create characters and relationships and compelling storylines. Now that I have self-published several creative works and ideas just keep coming, I'm looking forward to retiring and focusing on bringing even more stories to life.

TPJ: What sparked the idea for your very first book?

AB: My first self-published novel, "Rock. Stone. Pebble.." a "Western with a twist," started as a half-page opening scene with placeholders. The scene had just popped into my head, and I decided to capture it, even though I had no idea at the time of its genre or if it would lead to anything. I loved Westerns and sci-fi. I left placeholders since I didn't know any details about where this scene was happening, what had led up to this point, or where it could go from there. I saved the file. A long time later, I resurrected it, reread it, and started answering the "what, where, who, how, and why," originally thinking it could very well turn out to be a short story. Answering enough questions to move forward, I started writing, the story coming together chapter by chapter.

TPJ: What genres feel like “home” for you—and why do they speak to you?

AB: Westerns, sci-fi, fantasy, supernatural. If a TV show or movie showed up on the Sci-Fi (SyFy) Channel, I'd be there. Even if I envision a contemporary setting, I'm compelled to give it some magical or supernatural or sci-fi twist - like my "When You Were Not Jenny" stories. Contemporary setting - sci-fi/time travel story. I write the kinds of stories I want to watch and read. Oh yes, I almost always have to have at least a dash of romance.

TPJ: How many books have you written so far?

AB: I've published five novels so far -

"Rock. Stone. Pebble."

"The Dragon Invites You to Tea"

"The Guide to Palas" Prequel to "Rock. Stone. Pebble."

"When You Were Not Jenny" Short Story Series

"Seasoned Tales: Stories Inspired by the Seasons"

Two of my stories appear in the TechLit publication "Inner Space and Outer Thoughts: Speculative Fiction by Caltech and JPL Authors."

TPJ: Before writing your first book, did you know anything about genres, tropes, or publishing?

AB: When you've been writing your whole life and reading and "observing" how stories are told, hopefully I've picked up some knowledge about genres and tropes. I like mixing genres. Tropes have a negative connotation, but they can be enriched or told a different way or turned on their heads.

SECTION 3 — Writing Process & Experience

TPJ: Are you more of a planner or a “write as it comes” kind of author?

AB: Loose plotting tightened and gaining detail as I write my characters. Every night, or basically any time when my mind is allowed to wander, I'm plotting. I'm visualizing scenes, hearing dialogue, asking myself how this character would react and how that reaction might affect the plot and the other characters. I'm often plotting far ahead of the writing, but the details are never solidified until I'm actually writing sentences.

TPJ: Do you have a favorite time of day to write—or any quirky rituals that help you get in the zone?

AB: No rituals. When my boys were little, inspiration didn't or wasn't allowed to strike until after 10 PM. Now I can write whenever at least one sentence, or one approach to a scene or chapter, is "ready."

TPJ: What’s been your biggest challenge as a writer, and how did you push through it?

AB: While writing "The Guide to Palas" which is sci-fi set in a technologically advanced world much like ours except with social stratification, I often felt that I wasn't up to the task, that I was attempting a story beyond my capabilities. Midway through a fantasy story took root inside my head which was more in my comfort zone, so, for a while switched back and forth between them. After I finished the fantasy and published it ("The Dragon King Invites You to Tea"), I returned my full focus to "The Guide to Palas" and realized the pacing had suffered. I edited, deleting whole chapters, rewriting important narrative bits and inserting them where I felt they should have belonged in the first place. I strive for a natural flow and good pacing, so cutting out the slow and unnecessary made me so much happier.

TPJ: Why did you choose the self-publishing route? What does that freedom mean to you?

AB: When the Caltech writing group TechLit put out a call for short stories, I submitted three and two of them were accepted. Unable to find a publisher, the TechLit group self-published through Amazon and I was impressed by the quality and excited to see my work in print, so decided I could do the same and self-publish "Rock. Stone. Pebble."

I wanted to be published, but I was afraid of the work and emotional toll it would take on me to pursue traditional publishing. Once I decided to self-publish, I felt free and inspired and driven. It does mean, however, that I also need self-discipline to act as my own ruthless editor.

SECTION 4 — Themes, Characters & Readers

TPJ: Who do you imagine reading your books? Who are you writing for?

AB: Someone who resonates with my characters and enjoys the relationships between them.

TPJ: What messages or themes do you hope readers take away from your stories?

AB: Relationships. Friends, parents and children, family, love interests, and life partners. My stories don't have any intended messages, but I do hope readers find one by the end.

TPJ: Do you have a character that feels especially close to your heart? Tell us why.

AB: In the short story "Only in Summer" appearing in "Seasoned Tales: Stories Inspired by the Seasons," I see myself in the main character, devoted to her marriage yet feeling that romance has passed her by. It's the closest "mainstream" story I've ever written.

TPJ: Can you share a favorite scene or line from your work that still makes you smile?

AB: From "Rock. Stone. Pebble."

"The gift wasn’t heavy, and I could feel the shape of a small box underneath the neckerchief that served as its wrapping. Up until now, I had avoided contemplating its contents, but I couldn’t help but speculate to some degree. The box might contain something I had admired at the marketplace, jewelry perhaps, although I wondered if Rock would really give me something so significant as a parting gift. It was very possible that the gift could just be the box itself, for I had seen some lovely, hand-carved boxes at the marketplace, some lined with velvet. Had I gazed at those boxes admiringly? I couldn’t remember. But Rock said it was something that would remind me of our time together, so the box must contain something, maybe from both Rock and Stone, or something personal of theirs, although I couldn’t imagine what. Dusters seemed to only carry necessities for the job and their survival. But I didn’t need to continue to wonder. All I needed to do to find out was open it.

I ran my fingers over the knot formed by the tied corners of the neckerchief, then set the gift on my nightstand where I could see it when I went to sleep and when I woke up each morning. The unopened gift kept my time in the Wildlands, my time with Rock and Stone, in suspension. Opening it would start the clock again. There would come a time, I felt certain, when I would open it, but it wouldn’t be tonight."

SECTION 5 — Life Beyond Writing

TPJ: When you’re not writing, what brings you joy? Any hobbies or creative outlets?

AB: Boardgames and attending boardgame conventions, painting boardgame miniatures, reading manga and "light novels," and watching anime.

TPJ: Tell us about your family or pets—our readers love these personal touches!

AB: My husband and I will soon BOTH be retired. We have two cats. I have two grown sons and four grandchildren. My sister and I spend a lot of time together. We're always trying to rope family members into our hobbies, and getting them to read my books! Luckily, my sister is my champion.

TPJ: What’s one fun or surprising fact about you that readers might not expect?

AB: I've mentioned retirement a lot, so maybe someone at my age (68) kickstarting their author career is surprising? Or maybe someone my age reading manga and watching anime might be surprising.

SECTION 6 — Looking Ahead

TPJ: What’s next for you? Any exciting projects or books on the horizon?

AB: I'm working on a sequel to "The Dragon King Invites You to Tea" named "Heirs of the Dragon Kings." This one's a little more action-packed and will have much higher stakes than the first one. But not to worry. Romance blooms as well.

TPJ: Where do you see your author journey five years from now?

AB: It would be great if people who don't know me or haven't met me discover my books and enjoy them. That would make my heart sing.

TPJ: Where’s the best place for readers to follow your work and join your community?

AB: Readers can subscribe to readannbernath.com. I try to send out a blog entry every month or so to keep everyone up to date on my author's journey. You can find my books on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com. I'm working on getting myself exposure on other sites as well. If you live in the Los Angeles area, I always make sure my books are available through Flintridge Bookstore in La Canada Flintridge, California.